Federal Building Authority Chairman Bob Ludwig has said the larger of the two homes, a more than 4,000-square-foot residence, is earmarked for the commanding general of Army Materiel Command -- currently Gen. Dennis Via.

The smaller house, which Ludwig said will be around 3,500 square feet, is similar to seven existing generals' homes built by the Federal Building Authority in 2007. Mayor Tommy Battle has said both new residences will be "on par with what you'd find in Hampton Cove."

City Administrator John Hamilton told AL.com Tuesday that the larger home will become the AMC commanding general's residence because it has enough room to host official functions.

The council vote last fall to provide construction money "was just kind of the first step in the process," said Hamilton, a former Redstone garrison commander. "There were all kinds of different offices on the federal side that also had to sign on to the agreement, and that has now all been done."

CCI will have one year to finish the houses, Ludwig has said, and already has all the necessary security clearances to work on the arsenal.